What a great weekend for family fun around the South Sound! We’ve found kid friendly plays, St. Patrick’s Day crafts, stories with princesses, and much more! Be sure to fit in the JBF sale and the Mini Maestros event on Sunday.
Friday
Rock Painting Party at WiggleWorks
Get in on this fun craze without making a mess at your house! You can paint while your kiddos play, or they can paint with you. Included with admission. Siblings who are too tall for the play area are welcome to come along and paint! 12-2
Friends of the Lakewood Library used book sale 10AM-4:30
Books, magazines, DVDs and much more! We encourage you to bring your own bags. Blue book bags free for new members. Donations gladly accepted after the sale.
Leprechaun Trap Craft at the Graham Library 4-5PM
Join us to cut, glue, color and create a leprechaun craft just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.
Building Madness at the Sumner Library 4:30-5:30
Use LEGOs, Straws and Connectors, blocks and more to construct fabulous contraptions. Creative fun for the whole family! DUPLOs and other blocks available for the little ones.
Emma! A Pop Musical in Auburn 7-8:30
Based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, this sparkling new musical features the hit songs of legendary girl groups and iconic female singers from The Supremes to Katy Perry. Girl power has never sounded so good!
Tickets are available at the door: $10 general admission, $5 students with ID. Also Saturday Note from SFM: I’m guessing good for tweens and up?
You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown from Auburn High School Performing Arts 7-8:30 Charles Schulz’s beloved comic comes to life in Clark Gesner’s classic musical, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
Tickets available at the door, $10 General admission, $5 Children under 12, Seniors & Veterans
Kentlake High School presents The Little Mermaid also Saturday and next weekend
Ongoing
Want to go sledding or play in the snow? Here’s our guide! Note: Do confirm details before you head up; I haven’t checked the snow reports in a bit.
All Weekend
JBF Tacoma sale at the Fairgrounds in Puyallup BIG kids’ consignment event. Save on clothing, gear, equipment and more. Show the coupon here for free entry Friday and Saturday. Sunday is free with many items half-off.
Saturday
All Over
Kids’ Club at Michael’s Stores 2.00/child for ages 3-8. Sessions are 30 minutes. It’s an Easter chick and bunny craft today. There is also a slightly different version at the same time for ages 6+ for 5.00 and a Make-Break event for the family from 1-3; that one is a clay pot with a yarn bunny. Buy the pot and the rest of the supplies are free.
Storytime at Barnes and Noble stores Most area stores do a free, weekly storytime at 11AM; however, we do suggest calling yours to confirm first, as we have found participation to be inconsistent. The Gingerbread Man and the Leprechaun Loose at School is the story today.
South King County
Ages 3 and older with adult. Registration and a grown-up required (you should only register your kiddo).
Be your own super hero! Create a no-sew cape from a recycled tee-shirt, design a mask, and then take pictures wearing your awesome costumes. Bring your own shirt, or use one we supply.
Meet Daniel Tiger at Learning Express Toys in Renton
Free event and photo op. Yes, I think you can expect lots of company. 1-4
Celebrate the timeless story of Cinderella! Listen to the story of Cinderella while participating in movement activities, led by the ballet dancers of Tacoma City Ballet. Dance with them to the beautiful Cinderella score. Make your own Fairy Godmother wand to take home.
Ballet costumes, princess/prince and fairy tale attire are encouraged, but not required. Also more here
Visit the HCC Mast Center at Redondo The center and its touch tanks of sea critters are free and open to the public every Saturday from 10-2 Back open!
Puyallup/South Hill/Orting/Greater Pierce
Easter Bunny arrival at the South Hill Mall
Drop in all day on St. Patrick’s Day to make your own leprechaun glasses! These specially decorated spectacles might improve your chances of see a leprechaun…and maybe finding his gold? This event is all ages, and no registration is required.
Block Play at the Bonney Lake Library 11AM Build and play! Also at Buckley at 1:30 today.
Free Family Movie Matinee at the Eatonville Library 2PM
Enjoy a family-friendly film and snacks.
Tacoma/South Tacoma/Lakewood/Parkland
Spring Fling Event at the Tacoma Mall
1:00-2:30PM in the JCPenney Court as we welcome spring with crafts, activities, a balloon artist, and an opportunity to purchase professional photos with the Easter Bunny.
This event is free for all members of the Tacoma Family Club. Join the club for free at Simon Guest Services or at any event and receive a free balloon each visit to the mall, special discounts, spin wheel prizes, and more.
Free family flick at The Grand It’s The Last Starfighter
The third Saturday of each month, The Grand Cinema courtesy of Columbia Bank welcomes guests of all ages to a family-friendly movie for free! Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and movies start at 10:00 a.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. All children under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Watch animals enjoy “lucky” green treats in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. The zoo does get spendy fast; SFM recommends investing in an annual pass unless you can take advantage of monthly free days for City of Tacoma residents.
Slug Celebration Walk at Pt. Defiance Park 11:30-12:30
Celebrate these slimy creatures and what makes them more special than you might think. Note: This requires registration and is full, but there is a wait list.
Central Pierce Fire and Rescue Open House
11-1 speakers and refreshments; I’m not sure if this will be super interesting to kids, but it does say, “Kid friendly,” and they should get to see trucks or at least meet firefighters, I’d think.
Read with a Princess! The Daffodil Princesses will be at Tacoma libraries to read stories. These are free events, and the Princesses are great role models. Bring your cameras! Kobetich, Moore, and Swasey at 10:30 Fern Hill, South Tacoma, Mottet at 2.
Roominate at the Tacoma Public Library Open ended, snap together building system uses electricity and motors to teach use of circuits that create moving parts and lights. Required: Registration and accompanying adult 10:30 at Fern Hill and 2:30 at Wheelock Note from SFM: There are also several TPL events for tweens/teens today. We didn’t list them all due to space, but you may want to browse the listings for today at their site if you have big kids.
Knuffle Bunny at the Tacoma Musical Playhouse 11AM or 2PM today; 2PM Sunday
Based on the beloved Caldecott Honor-winning picture book, KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY MUSICAL is filled with adventure, drama, and singing and dancing laundry! PS If you can mention you saw it on SFM I’d sure appreciate it!
The Science Dome is back open! Go see a low cost children’s show at the area’s only indoor planetarium. It’s so cool!!
FRIENDS of Lakewood Library Used Book Sale
Books, magazines, DVDs and much more! We encourage you to bring your own bags. Blue book bags free for new members. Donations gladly accepted after the sale.
Lacey/Olympia
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at Olympia Family Theater March 16- April 1, 2018
Tossed overboard, stuck in a traveler’s knapsack, used as a scarecrow, renamed and reinvented, you will fall in love with our rabbit doll named Edward as he undertakes a life changing 20-year journey.
Arbor Day event Help improve habitats, take nature walks, get a free tree at LBA woods open space
Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center and learn about the Wonderland Trail at Mt. Rainier today,
It takes 93 miles to get around Mount Rainier on the Wonderland Trail, but we’ll take you around in less than an hour! Learn about the flora, fauna, and wonders of hiking this beautiful route in a presentation at 2 pm. Mountain-themed art and activities available all day. The center is free!
Visit the South Sound Estuarium interactive marine discovery! Open 11-4 weekends at their new location.
Free tours of the Tugboat Sandman most days at Percival Landing
Gig Harbor
Awakening the Dragon Ceremony: The Gig Harbor Dragons, dragon boat club, will celebrate the arrival from China of two new Champion 10 person dragon boats. The celebration will take place at Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor, beginning at 10 am.
March Mini Makers Workshop at AR Workshop
Easter/Spring themed mini block signs. Perfect for ages 7 and up. Registration and fees required.
Any weekend fun: Your Michael’s does do the crafts (see All Over above). Check out the touch tanks at the Skansie Visitors’ Center; visit the Harbor History Museum (it’s free!); walk your downtown; see what’s going on at Discovery Village or the YMCA or visit one of your great parks or trails. If you know something I missed, do let me know!
Sunday
South King County
Easter Egg Hunt, Enumclaw Hosted by Summit Church
Read with Rover at the Covington Library Drop in and practice reading skills with a patient, canine listener!
Sunday Family Movie at the Auburn Library It’s Cars 3 2-4PM
Build a Puppet Stage Workshop at the Federal Way Library
Designed for parents and kids to do together. You do need to register!
Tacoma/Pierce County
Featured: Mini Maestros at UPS
Blast off! The Symphony Tacoma Brass Quintet is headed into outer space and they are taking you with them! Come and learn all about the brass family and enjoy a space-themed musical adventure that is out of this world. On this musical voyage, we will continue to explore elements of music such as pulse, dynamics, and range with songs inspired by space, stars, and more.
NOTE: The instrument petting zoo begins at 1:30pm. Be sure to get there early so your kids can try out the instruments! The concert begins at 2:30pm and is 45 minutes long.
Don’t miss this one! These special concerts are designed just for young audiences. A perfect way to introduce kids to classical music and instruments. Tickets here!
Knuffle Bunny at the Tacoma Musical Playhouse 2PM today; also next weekend
Based on the beloved Caldecott Honor-winning picture book, KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY MUSICAL is filled with adventure, drama, and singing and dancing laundry! PS If you can mention you saw it on SFM I’d sure appreciate it!
Last Day of the JBF sale at the fairgrounds in Puyallup. Free admission today; most items half off.
Olympia
Visit the South Sound Estuarium interactive marine discovery! Open 11-4 weekends at their new location.
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Planning your Easter fun?
Our big list of Easter egg hunts is here.
Our list of bunny photo ops, breakfasts, and other fun is here.
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